San Diego Padres’ Logan Forsythe (11) congratulates Jesus Guzman, right, for hitting a three-run home run against the Colorado Rockies during the third inning of a baseball game in San Diego, Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012.

SAN DIEGO — Drew Pomeranz making starts through the month of September is important for his growth. But his walk to the finish line has been clumsy.

The left-hander has established a career-high in professional innings. But quality has not matched the quantity. He has reached five innings just once since Aug. 1, a product of the pitch count and a lack of efficiency. A critical mistake to Jesus Guzman undermined his outing Saturday night.

The Padres’ left fielder hit a three-run home run in the third inning, the big blow in San Diego’s 4-3 victory.

Pomeranz, whose lone win this season came July 6, was gone after three innings, leaving the bullpen to carry the load again.

Turning point. Pomeranz is best when he’s working the inside of the plate, jamming right-handed hitters. Guzman, however, leveled a fastball over the center-field fence. Guzman was playing because of his strong work against left-handers this season (33-for-109).

On the mound. Josh Outman is an interesting piece going forward. Returned from a humbling Double-A stint with better mechanics and command, he defused an eighth-inning rally. Outman could be a harder-throwing version of Matt Reynolds next season.

San Diego’s Casey Kelly, one of the key pieces in the Adrian Gonzalez trade to Boston, had a bloated ERA over 12.00 in his last two starts. But he worked six innings, allowing just two unearned runs.

At the plate. Chris Nelson and Charlie Blackmon continue to simmer. Both delivered RBI hits in the Rockies’ three-run seventh inning. Nelson’s surge should increase his trade value if the Rockies pursue that rout this offseason. Blackmon remained in the game despite a violent shoulder-to-shoulder collision with DJ LeMahieu in the second inning. Blackmon hit his first home run in Friday’s win.

What it means. Pomeranz and Alex White are facing an important offseason as they will show up in spring training having to win spots in the rotation.

Troy is a former Denver Broncos and Colorado Rockies beat writer for The Denver Post. He joined the news organization in 2002 as the Rockies' beat writer and became a Broncos beat writer in 2014 before assuming the lead role ahead of the 2015 season. He left The Post in 2015.

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